Uptown Westerville is a Place for Holiday Warmth

Tatjana Brown from Meza has a way to warm up your heart and your holidays -- hot spiced cider and mulled wine...

Tatjana says...

While red wine and apple cider are the most traditional of the spiced winter warmers, you can also use cranberry juice, white wine, hard cider, or ale. All of these beverages take very nicely to mulling.

The primary spice combinations for mulled wine or cider almost always include cinnamon sticks and whole cloves. Nutmeg, allspice berries, slices of fresh ginger, orange slices, and lemon zest are also good additions. You can find all of these spices in our Holiday Mulling Spice by Victoria Taylor Gourmet here at Meza!

▪ Simply place some of the spice mixture in a cheesecloth and allow to steep in the
liquid. Bring the mixture to a very gentle simmer over low heat. Don’t let it boil: this can cause spices to turn bitter.

▪ To really allow the flavors of the spices to infuse into the beverage, you should allow the mixture to simmer on the stove top for at least half an hour.

▪ Sweeten it up with some brown sugar.

▪ It’s fine to keep the pot warm for several hours, allowing everyone to sip holiday cheer throughout the night: a slow cooker on low heat is ideal. Ladle into mugs and serve, garnished with an orange slice or cinnamon stick.

Cheers!